Midnight Rider

Chapter 14

We rode through downtown along the strip. It was lit up but no people around, bars are closed on Sundays. We took the familiar back roads to the look out point. He helped me off so I could stretch my legs. He crossed his arms and leaned up against a tree. I stood on the edge of the look out taking in the view.  We stood in silence for a few minutes before I asked, “You ok? Not that you’re a chatter box by any means but you normally talk a little more.”

He sighed, “Yea I just need to get out of my head, sorry.”

“Is some of it to do with what you can’t tell me?”

“Yes and no”

“What do you mean?”

“Well yes, not being able to tell you makes it difficult and adds to it but, I would also have some of the same problems even if I didn’t know you”

“So it’s really things you can’t change like family stuff?”

“Yes, family is everything to me and it can also be difficult.”

“I understand my family is very important to me too.”

“I’m really am sorry that I can’t tell you more.”

“Is there anything you can tell me? Doesn’t matter how small it is.”

He walked over and stood in front of me, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. “Well, I can tell you that I’ve known you longer than the night I saw you outside your old apartment.”

“Do I know you?”

“Probably not…”

“But there’s a chance?”

“A slim one. I already told you that I was from here and had to leave but came back. The only other thing I will tell you is that some situations in my life right now, will not be there forever.”

“While we’re playing 20 questions, is there anything you wanna ask me?”

“Ok, have you talked to your ex any?”

“Hell no..”

“Have you met anyone else, besides me?”

“Yes I’ve actually been on a couple dates”

“So what’s he like?”

“Oh well….it’s more like they, what are they like”

“Damn so you’ve got two guys and you’re here with me? Am I special?”

“Oh you’re special,” I rolled my eyes, “and I told them both up front I don’t want a committed relationship right now.”

“So they know about each other?”

“Well Tanner knows about Gabriel, because he saw the flowers Gabriel sent me. Gabriel however, I haven’t told him about Tanner.”

“That’s their names?”

“Yea why do you know them?” I asked skeptically.

“They don’t sound familiar, but I’ll do some snooping.” He laughed.

“Why would you do that?”

“Make sure they’re worth your time, and tell them if they hurt you they’ll answer to me.”

“You don’t have to do that but ok..” I blushed.

“Will you tell me a little bit about them?”

“Ok well Gabriel’s grandpa is a patient of mine at the cancer clinic. That’s where I also saw Vanessa at work and I gave her my number to give to you. He’s a really good guy. Tanner is actually someone that was in mine and my ex’s group of friends in high school. We ran into each other at the movie theater and he expressed to me that he always liked me in high school but I was dating my ex so he never said anything. He’s a good guy too.”

“I’ll be the judge of if they are good or not…”

“Why are you so protective when we aren’t even dating?” I asked a little annoyed.

“Because I already told you I really like you and I feel protective of you. Probably because I saw your crazy ex trying to drag you away from Club Dragon that night. I’m sorry but I can’t help feeling that way. My guess is though that you also like me or you wouldn’t text me or ask for rides or go with me on rides.”

I sighed in defeat, “well yes, I also really like you. I’m sorry.” I started down at my feet and was surprised to feel him wrap his arms around me in a hug. I hugged him back.

“I’m sorry too,” he whispered, “I’ll take you back home.”

I held on extra tight for the ride home, not really wanting to let go. The Rider must of sensed this or he also didn’t want to leave me because, as we were driving slow he took his right arm and laid it around my leg. Rubbing my leg. It made my heart ache. He helped me off the bike in my driveway.

“I’ll see you around,” he said while pulling me in close.

“I’ll see you around.” I answered.

I went upstairs and laid in my bed as I listened to him drive away. I didn’t find out much information on him but I did feel like our talk did some good. I fell asleep still wearing his hoodie.

When my alarm went off the next morning for work, I felt like I didn’t even sleep. I left the house in such a hurry I forgot my lunch. If this is how Monday morning is going to be then I don’t know if I want to see the rest of this week. I flew into the parking lot and clocked in just in time.

“Dang, just in time!” Ciara called to me as I walked in.

“I know, I feel like I didn’t sleep at all last night. I woke up late and I forgot my lunch, today is not my day.” As I started scanning patients I heard my phone go off in my pocket. DING.  A smile came across my face when I looked and it was a text from Gabriel.

Good morning! I hope you have a good day!

-Hey! Well so far the only good thing about my morning is your text lol

Why’s that?

-I just didn’t sleep very good I guess so I woke up late and forgot my lunch.

He didn’t reply right away and I didn’t get a chance to check my phone again. About lunch time my stomach couldn’t stop growling. I went to find Ciara and see if she wanted to order some delivery. I saw her right outside the door helping one of the patients into their car.

“Hey do you want to order delivery for lunch?” I asked.

She turned around to look at me, “Yea sure…oh, well never mind you might not need to.”

“Why?” She motioned behind me and I saw Gabriel parking his truck. I smiled and started towards his truck. I walked up as he was getting out.

“Hey what are you doing here? Your grandpa isn’t done yet.” I hugged him.

He wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on mine. “I know but you didn’t seem like you were having a good morning and I brought you something.” He leaned back into the truck and pulled out a large pizza and a frozen hot chocolate.

“Oh my gosh! You didn’t have to do that!”

“I want you to have a good day so yes I did have to. I got a large cause I figured Ciara might want some too.”

“You’re the sweetest you know that?” I reached up and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

He smiled and said, “Well I try.”

“Do you want to stay and eat with us? If you have time away from the shop.”

“I always have time for you,” he stared down at me. I let him carry the pizza over to some of the picnic tables we have outside while I went in to tell Ciara.

“Hey Gabriel brought pizza for the both of us! I asked if he wanted to stay and eat with us, he’s outside grabbing a table, you coming?”

“He got us both pizza? Ok, he’s my favorite now” she laughed. Ciara sat across from us. We all sat and talked while we ate our pizza. Gabriel kept one hand on my leg the whole time.

“My lunch is just about over, I better walk you back to the truck,” I said to Gabriel while standing. He said goodbye to  Ciara was we walked away and he reached for my hand.

“Hey what did Ciara mean when she said I’m her favorite now?” he asked.

“Oh well remember I told you I didn’t want to be in a committed relationship yet?”

“Yes”

“Well since we aren’t I accepted a date from someone I used to hang out with in school.”

“So she means I’m the favorite of the two of us?”

“I’d say yes, is that ok?”

“Well ya, if you want to end up getting serious with someone being their best friends favorite is a good start” he laughed.

“Good” I reached up and gave him a kiss.

“Do you have any plans Thursday night?”

“No, what do you have in mind?”

“It’s another surprise” he smiled at me, “I’ll pick you up at six?”

“I’ll see you then” he wrapped his arms around me for another kiss before leaving.

I was smiling ear to ear when I walked back into work.

“Guess what”

“What” Ciara asked.

“He asked me out for another surprise date.” I almost squealed.

“That’s awesome”

“Are you and Eric going out again?”

“Yea we’ve talked about going out this weekend. Maybe we can double date?”

“Yea I’m down”  I finished my Monday in a much better mood than I started it.

On Tuesday I received another flower delivery at work, but this time they were red roses. Ciara also received some.

“Wow I don’t think I’ve ever gotten flowers,” she said excitedly.

“They are so pretty!” I exclaimed.

“Aww! The card says can’t wait to see you’re smile this weekend!” she blushed.

“Eric seems to really like you”

“Everything is going good so far, does yours have a card? Not that you need one, pretty sure they are from Tanner.”

“No there’s no card but I’m sure it’s him”. On my way home from work Tanner called me.

“Hey how was work? Did you get a surprise today?”

I laughed, “Yes I got the roses they were really pretty thank you, and work is going ok. I’m on my way home now. What are you up to?”

“I’m just hanging out with Eric and he mentioned that we should do a double date this weekend. How’s Saturday night sound?”

“Sounds great!”

I met Christian in the driveway when I got home. He saw me taking my flowers out of the car.

“I may need to open up a floral shop soon from all these flowers they keep sending you” he pointed to the flowers.

“Whatever,” I rolled my eyes at him, “maybe you should be buying Dru flowers. Isn’t your anniversary coming up?”

“Ssshhh…..,” he looked around to see if she was listening, “yes I know it is and I have a special weekend planned for us.”

“Ooohh! What are you planning?” I whispered.

“A romantic getaway and I may or may not have been shopping for rings,” he smiled.

“OH MY GOSH!”

“SHHH!! Don’t say a word!”

“Ok I promise. I’m so excited for you!” I hugged him.

On Wednesday everything seemed fine. I came home to flowers from Gabriel with a card reading “can’t wait to see you tomorrow night”. I smiled and texted him.

-You’re the sweetest! Thank you for the flowers! Do I get any hints on what tomorrow’s surprise is?

Hey beautiful! I’m glad you liked them….and of course you’re not getting hints lol

-How will I know what to wear if I don’t have hints?

Ok this is the only hint you’ll get, you can dress up because it will be a little nicer than the drive-in

-Ooohh ok I can’t wait!

Me either! I’ll see you tomorrow at six

I sat down with Dru on the couch after dinner while Christian did the dishes. “You’ve got a busy week, Gabriel tomorrow night and Tanner on Saturday. I’m glad you’re having a good time.” She told me.

“I am they are both so great. I’m really excited for my surprise date tomorrow with Gabriel.”

“Speaking of surprises…” she looked to see is Christian was listening, “I think your brother’s trying to plan something for our anniversary but I can’t figure out what. Should I just let it go?” Dru was waiting for me to answer but I was only pretending to listen. My phone had received a text while she was talking and I couldn’t believe it.

Hey…. I really need to come talk to you. Are you home? It was from the Rider. Is this it? Will he finally tell me who he is?

“Hello Angel?” Dru nudged me.

“Oh sorry, no just let it go with Christian. You wouldn’t want to ruin a surprise.”

She stared at me, “ok I’ll let it go, but what’s up with you all of a sudden?”

“I got a text from the Rider saying he needs to talk to me. Like now.”

Her eyes widened, “Is this it? Go talk to him!”

I replied- I’m home is everything ok?

Yea I’m fine, I’ll be there in a few. Come outside.

I grabbed my shoes and threw on his hoodie. I heard the bike as I walked outside. He didn’t even shut off the bike, he just held out his hand for me to hurry and get on. We didn’t go to our usually spot at the look out point. Instead we drove out of town and ended up at someone’s private property. It was just a wooded area with a small clearing. I jumped off the bike and waited for him.

“Ok what’s going on? Why did you bring me here?”

“Well I drove past our usually spot and people where there. I know the person who owns this property so I knew they wouldn’t care.”

“Ok but what’s wrong?”

He sighed and crossed his arms. “I looked into those guys you’ve been seeing.”

“Gabriel and Tanner”

“Yea them and…..I have to be honest with you I don’t think you should be with either of them.”

“Why?”

“I learned some things about them that you don’t know.”

“Are you gonna tell me?”

“No….only because it’s not my story to tell. I just don’t think you should date them.”

“This is just because you’re jealous isn’t it? You can’t or won’t tell me who you are but you don’t want anyone else to have me either.”

“No that’s not it” he uncrossed his arms and came closer to me.

“That doesn’t make sense. I’ve known Tanner for years, I’d think I’d know if I shouldn’t see him.”

“Some things you aren’t going to tell a girl that you’re trying to date. The things I learned he will probably never tell you.”

“Seems like you two have something in common then huh?” I was getting a little annoyed.

“You know I have reasons and I’m sorry.”

“So what are their reasons? Do you know that?”

“I have a good guess but like I said it shouldn’t come from me.”

“What about Gabriel? He seems so great! What could he possibly be hiding? I also know his grandpa, he’s one of my patients. I feel like I’d know if something was off”

“Would you? You didn’t know that your boyfriend had been cheating on you.”

Those words stung. Unfortunately he was right, I didn’t know that Jason had been cheating on me. So who’s to say I’d know if they were hiding something from me?

“Uugghh!! You’re so frustrating! I would know because I’ve been through it before, so for now I’m assuming they are fine. If they have secrets they want to tell me they can or they will come out sooner or later. But I’m happy right now and you can’t ruin that!” I put my head in my hands.

I heard the grass under his boots as he walked over to me. I felt his arms pull me into his chest. “I’m sorry Angel, I just don’t want to see you hurt. I wanted to warn you.”

“What if you’re the one that’s hurting me?” I whispered. He hugged me tighter and sucked in a deep breath.

“I would never hurt you on purpose and I pray I never do. I just care a lot about you. If you want to continue dating them I can’t stop you and that’s your decision, but trust me when I say I will be watching them.”

“If I’m wrong………even though I don’t think I am……..will I still be able to count on you?”

“You can always count on me, that won’t ever change.” Tears started to well up in my eyes and I shook from being upset. He hugged me tighter. “Please don’t cry”

“I’m ok…” I lied.

“Come on, I’ll take you home.” He started the bike and helped me back on. I held on tight and hid my face from the wind into his back. When we got to my house he got off the bike again and hugged me. As my face was buried in his chest he slightly lifted up his helmet and kissed the top of my head.

As I let go he said, “I’ll see you around”

“Will you?”

“Yea I’m always around, even if you don’t see me I see you. Good night Angel.”

“Good night” I dragged my feet up the stairs and threw myself onto my bed. I listened to the sound of his bike fading and tears started to flow.